Textile arts of Bangladesh

The history of the textile arts of Bangladesh dates back to the 1st century AD. According to the archaeological excavations, Bangladesh was once famous for its artistic textile production throughout the world. Over the years, several types of textiles evolved in the country, mostly by the indigenous handloom manufacturers.

History

white muslin with white cotton and pink silk embroidery,Kolkata,mid 19th century,after Arts of India 1550-1900,Victoria and Albert Museum,1990

The fine, transparent mulmul known as muslin in Europe manufactured by the weavers of Bengal was established as a commercial product almost 2000 years ago .Gangetic muslin is referred to by Greek and Roman writers .It’s known from their writing that it was the most favored among the luxury goods imported from India .these were known by beautiful poetic names in Rome such as – nebula which means mist, vapor or cloud, and venti textiles, woven winds .Similar names are still used in Dhaka .

The most important commodities were fine cotton and later, silk. The East India Company, already well established in Goa began to cast covetous glances at Bengal in the early 16th century .In 1536 they set up trading posts at Satgaon and Chittagong. In the mid – 17th century the East India company of London was permitted by the Mughal government to establish a few factories (trading posts) in Bengal.

The handloom textile industry employs a large section of the population. About 60 to 65 percent of the demand for textiles in Bangladesh is supplied by the handloom industry.[1]

Types

photograph Md. Zahirul Islam Bhuiyan
photograph Shahid Hussain Shamim
collection Rabeya Khathun

References

  1. Ahmad, Shamsuddin (2012). "Textiles". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  2. Faroqi, Gofran (2012). "Tanti". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  3. Ali, Md Ibrahim (2012). "Cotton". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  4. Van Schendel, Willem (2012). "Silk". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  5. Karim, Abdul (2012). "Muslin". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  6. Banu, Zinat Mahrukh; Reza, Masood (2012). "Jamdani". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  7. Khan, Shawal (2012). "Sari". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.

Further reading

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